Empowering Young Adults with Down Syndrome through the EPIC Work Readiness Group
By: Julia Andrews, Marissa Iacullo, Jessie Jarosz, Leah Schneider This past fall, we have had the pleasure of leading an EPIC: Work Readiness Group at GiGi’s Playhouse, as a part of our Group Dynamics course at Rush University. Over the course of 6 weeks, we aimed to increase participant’s work...
Staying Connected with Friends and Family: Fun Virtual Activities to Try at Home This Holiday Season
By Megan Beiler, OTS, Grace Hoak, OTS, Abigail Peters, OTS, & Kellie Reynolds, OTS Rush University Occupational Therapy Department This fall, we had the opportunity to run a six-week virtual EPIC social skills group for young adults at GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago. As 2nd year occupational therapy students at Rush...
How to Watch & Participate in the Dance-A-Thon
The biggest dance party of the year is almost here and we want to give you all the details on how to best enjoy, watch and participate in this years virtual Get Down with Down Syndrome Dance-A-Thon! What to do this Saturday, November 14th: 1. At 1:00 pm CDT, head...
Dance-A-Thon Registration – Step by Step
Still unsure on how to register for the GiGi's Playhouse Chicago 6th Annual Get Down with Down Syndrome Dance-A-Thon?... Follow the step by step instructions below and register HERE Purchase raffle tickets HERE For any further questions, please email us at chicago@gigisplayhouse.org
Backed by Berman
This summer, Berman Subaru of Chicago reached out to GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago to extend an invitation of support and partnership during COVID-19. Together we came up with the idea of creating tutoring kits for our participants that were enrolled in virtual math and literacy tutoring, an amazing opportunity to meet...
A Letter from Sunny – Occupational Therapy Intern
This past summer, I have had the pleasure of serving as an intern at GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago as a part of my occupational therapy doctoral capstone experience. Over the course of my experience here, I have been welcomed with open arms by the staff, board members and volunteers. As I...
GiGi’s Summer of Art
This summer, GiGi’ Playhouse Chicago is collaborating with artists within the Midwest and Texas to create art with GiGi’s Playhouse heart in mind. Through this collaboration, we are able to continue to provide support to our amazing families with the resources GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago provides. With that, we have been...
How YOUR Steps Keep Us Accepting
Since GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago has opened, we have been able to service a multitude of incredible families. As of now, we have over 560 families attending GiGi's Playhouse Chicago. Not only do these numbers reflect the enthusiastic participation and community GiGi’s has built, but also the need within the community....
Occupational Therapy Month at GiGi’s
Written by Anna Machuga, OTD Student April is Occupational Therapy (OT) Month! As I finish up my time as the GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago OT Intern, I wanted to talk about the importance of occupational therapy, my role at the Playhouse, and explain how OT is integrated into the Playhouse in...
Meet Our Interns!
In January of 2020 with the help of our occupational therapy intern Anna, GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago was able to bring on 4 interns! They worked three to six hours per week where they gained the skills of following a specific routine, asking for help, and understanding job expectations and tasks. As a special bonus, they also got...
Meet Sofia! One of Our Many Dancing Queens!
"Our Dance & Yoga program provides participants with opportunities to work on their coordination and attention skills, along with supporting their confidence and promoting their social participation. Program activities include memorizing and executing the dance moves of a choreography or of a yoga routine, taking the leadership role and showing a...
Be Mindful of Germs During FLU Season
Dear GiGi's Families, Volunteers and Friends: We want you all to stay healthy, and help us keep our GiGi Families, Friends, and Volunteers as healthy as possible as we face the flu season and COVID-19 also know as the coronavirus. While the risk of getting COVID-19 in the United States remains...
